Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994), wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and First Lady of the United States, autographed handwritten letter (ALS), no date. "Jackie O" became a cultural icon in her own right; her reverence for the arts, personal fashion sense, air of elegance and grace, and career as a book editor with Doubleday elevated her to a status above and beyond that of 'First Lady.' 

Penned on a lined sheet, Onassis writes to her interior designer, Lee Onthank Barrett, regarding the procurement of "a round table for John's room for him to study on - as his desk is hopeless for a small boy." She goes on to describe the size she desires: "It should be big enough to have a lamp on - Can you get a good lamp - as the light he works by is so bad now - & the right height for his desk chair - but not too high - You can measure the table in Caroline's room - but I don't think there is room to have it that large. It should be covered with a piece of red felt, no fancy fringe is necessary, & a white or blue oil cloth top - as in Caroline's room. I enclose a picture I tore out last year - If this table is the right size & height - maybe it would do there instead - Could you look at it & you decide - as his birthday is November 25," signed at the conclusion, "JK Onassis."

An integral player at the internationally renowned Manhattan interior design firm Keith Irvine and Thomas Fleming, Inc., Barrett worked with Jackie after her departure from the White House. He was also employed by other family members, including Ted and Joan Kennedy, Patricia [Kennedy] Lawford, Eunice and Sargent Shriver, and Jean and Stephen Smith. 

Letter is accompanied by a vintage catalog clipping, featuring a desk that Jackie uses as reference in her description.

Measuring 8.5 x 11, this letter is in very good condition, with the expected mailing folds, some light surface wrinkling and some chips along the edges.